Obit: Farris, Ellen S. (1939 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Farris, Brehm, Damrow, Schowalter, Kreutzuer, Tompkins, Matzat, Anderson, Bjerke

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/25/2016

Farris, Ellen S. (22 July 1939 - 22 May 2016)

Ellen S. Farris, 76, of Neillsville died Sunday, may 22, 2016, at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Ellen Farris was born July 22, 1939, in Sheboygan, the daughter of Walter and Ada (Brehm) Damrow. Ellen was raised in Sheboygan Falls. She attended the ninth and 10th grades at St. Mary’s Convent in St. Francis. After she graduated, she attended Spencerian College, where she earned an associate’s degree in business. She then went to work for the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce.

She was united in marriage May 27, 1961, to David L. Farris at St. Mary’s Church in Sheboygan Falls. Together they raised their family while living in Grafton. Ellen spent 15 years as the office manager for the Town Club in Fox Point.

After she and David retired, they moved to Lake Arbutus in Hatfield. She loved the Lake and enjoyed many boat rides with her family and sitting by the water on their swing. She also loved traveling to many states with her husband, reading, crocheting and gatherings with the Purple Passion Patooties Red Hat Society to which she belonged. Ellen was also a member of the Hatfield Homemakers.

She is survived by her husband, David; four children: Jill (Joel) Schowalter of Grafton, Diane (Jeff Kreutzuer) Tompkins of Grafton, Julie (James Matzat) Farris of Wauwatosa and Jeff Farris of Boston, MA; and four grandchildren: Mitchell, Kristen, Sarah and Cassandra.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Claire (Bud) Anderson.

A Memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Douglas Bjerke officiated.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Ellen’s family with funeral arrangements.